Chris Pratt, the well-known actor famous for his roles in films like Guardians of the Galaxy, recently shared that he nearly adopted the stage name “Christo” when he first started his acting career in Los Angeles. This revelation came during an interview where Pratt discussed his early days, the origin of the potential stage name, and how his acting journey began.
How “Christo” Became a Considered Stage Name
The idea for the stage name “Christo” emerged from a nickname Pratt earned while working at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., a seafood restaurant. Pratt explained that his name tag originally read “Christopher,” but due to wear, the last part “PHER” rubbed off, leaving “Christo.” This caused coworkers and new employees to call him by that altered name for an extended period.
Reflecting on this, Pratt admitted that as he was pursuing acting, the thought seriously crossed his mind to use “Christo” professionally. The choice was not a rebranding effort, but rather an initial branding idea before his career took off.
“I had a name tag that said Christopher at Bubblegum Shrimp Co. But the ‘PHER’ got rubbed off, so it said ‘Christo,’ and everyone called me Christo for a long time while I was working at Bubba Gump.” – Chris Pratt
“High turnover rate, the new employees thought my name was Christo, and as I navigated being discovered and brought to Los Angeles to follow my dreams, part of me thought in earnest maybe I go as just Christo.” – Chris Pratt
Early Career and Discovery at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Pratt’s acting career began when he was discovered by actress and director Rae Dawn Chong while waiting tables at the same Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Maui. Chong cast him in her directorial debut, a 2000 horror-comedy short film titled Cursed Part 3, giving Pratt his first credited acting role. This opportunity fueled his decision to move to Los Angeles and pursue acting more seriously.
Despite becoming famous as “Chris Pratt,” his full name is Christopher Michael Pratt. Fans often joke about the group of famous actors sharing the name Chris, including Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, and Chris Pine, referring to them collectively as the “Hollywood Chrises.”
Personal Preferences on His Name
In a 2022 interview on SiriusXM’s Pop Culture Spotlight With Jessica Shaw, Pratt revealed that those closest to him rarely call him “Chris.” Instead, friends and family use his last name or initials. He expressed discomfort with being called Chris, emphasizing that it never feels like his true name.
“What do they call you? Pratt?” – Jessica Shaw
“Yep, Pratt. CP. You know, CP. ‘Hey, CP.’ But no one calls me Chris. My friend, Chad. I went golfing with my friend, Chad, my pastor, the other day, and he was like, ‘No one calls you Chris? I’m gonna call you Chris. All right, Chris. You’re up.’ And I was like, ‘No, it feels weird. It’s not my name. Don’t call me Chris.'” – Chris Pratt
The Impact of a Name and Identity in Hollywood
Chris Pratt’s near decision to use “Christo” highlights how actors often consider stage names to define their public identity. While he ultimately stuck with a shortened version of his birth name, this story reveals the earlier uncertainties and influences behind a famous Hollywood name. As Pratt’s career has flourished, the unique backstory of “Christo” remains a quirky footnote that fans and industry followers find intriguing.
Going forward, Pratt’s openness about his name preferences may encourage a more personal understanding of celebrity identities beyond their on-screen personas.
